Phillip Eugene Pender, 57, of Waldorf, MD, departed this life on Monday, November 14, 2011, at his residence, with his loving family by his side. Phillip was born on May 4, 1954 in Flint, MI.

Phillip was the son of Thomas William and Marilyn Ann (Walsh) Pender, presently of Grand Blanc, MI.

Phil was the beloved husband of Rebecca Lynn (Bolton) Pender for over 33 years. He was the loving father of Kara Anne (Pender) Rollins, (husband, Paul Rollins, Jr.), and devoted to his grandchildren Riley Morgan and Cole Phillip Rollins.

He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1999. During his military career, his primary specialties included Officer of Special Investigations (OSI) and B-52 Aerial Gunner. Before retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant, Phil was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. After his military retirement in 1999 at Andrews Air Force Base, Phil opened Phil's Place in Hughesville, MD where his passionate loyalty to the Detroit Tigers was made known to all who entered.

Phil was preceded in death by his grandparents Cecil Allen and Mary Lorene (May) Pender, and William John Walsh and Mary Elizabeth (Bradford) Walsh Affeldt.

He also leaves siblings Jeannine Marie Pender, of Ponchatoula, LA, and Bryan Craig (wife Lezlie) Pender, of Midlothian, TX. Phil is also survived by nieces Katie Marie Crawford, Claire Marie Pender, and nephew Blake William Pender. He will be dearly missed by a host of other family and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, November 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Family and friends are invited to attend the committal service with military honors at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 in the chapel at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623. The procession from the funeral home will begin at 9:30 a.m., and pass Phil's Place on its way to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Charles County, P.O. Box 1703, La Plata, MD 20646.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A.